Group Rhodes Welcomes International Visit
Group Rhodes has been pleased to welcome a delegation from the Aviation Industry of China (AVIC) at its Wakefield offices. The visit was sponsored by Wakefield Councillor Samantha Harvey and follows the successful sale of Group Rhodes technology into the Chinese aerospace sector.
Group company, Rhodes Interform has sold several Superplastic Forming and Diffusion Bonding (SPF/DB) lines into China, several of which have been acquired by AVIC and associated company COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China).
The Rhodes patented SPF/DB technology is used in the creation of strong, lightweight components for aircraft and vehicle manufacture, and has been used extensively in the production of parts for COMAC’s C919 single aisle jet which entered commercial passenger service in 2023.
CEO Mark Ridgway OBE DL stated ‘It was a pleasure to receive AVIC’S Regional Representative Tianye Xu to the company and understand AVIC's focus on both aerospace and renewable energy. Having recently completed projects in both sectors ourselves, it was a good opportunity to align our research and development programmes with market requirements.
As one of the very few companies in the world capable of producing Superplastic Forming & Diffusion Bonding presses, Group Rhodes has been at the forefront of developing and manufacturing this technology for over forty years, gaining extensive worldwide patents.
The SPF/DB technique allows for the production of more complex, stiffer, stronger, and lighter structures in one piece, resulting in better component integrity. Savings of up to 30% in cost and 20% in weight can be obtained through the use of this technology, aligning it well with both improved production sustainability, and the lightweighting of aircraft to ensure greater fuel efficiency.
Group Rhodes actively manufactures and markets over 50 ranges of machinery from its facilities in Wakefield, which it sells to both the UK and global markets. The company has extensive capabilities including the design, development and manufacture of bespoke equipment and providing turnkey solutions.
Rhodes is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2024 and is proud to nurture a dedicated workforce in a traditional yet dynamic manufacturing environment.
If you want to find out more information about Group Rhodes, please visit the website https://www.grouprhodes.co.uk/, call us at +44 (0) 1924 371161. Alternatively, follow the company on LinkedIn.